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celebrated varieties of C. Wilderii and INIrs. Abby Wilder, and 

 others which have not been surpassed to this day. 



Mr. W. showed us, also, a large number of seedhng grape vines 

 which had been produced by the process of crossing. Some of 

 these are expected to show fruit next year. lie entertains the 

 opinion that no country is better adapted to the extensive cultiva- 

 tion of the grape than our own, and that it is only a question of 

 time when we shall have varieties adapted to almost every locality. 



As before remarked, the Committee had not time to examine, 

 as they would have been gratified to do, Mr. Ws. nurseries and 

 farming lands, of which he has about fifty acres in addition to the 

 homestead. In a field near the garden we saw the fine half-blood 

 Jersey cows, which Mr. W. has several times exhibited at the 

 shows of this Society, where they have been justly admired. It 

 is seldom that cows are met with in any breed, that present so 

 many points of merit as these, and we can hardly suppress the 

 wish that Mr. W. should carry out with them and their offspring, 

 the same principles whose results he has so strikingly exhibited in 

 various plants produced by crossing. 



Wellesley Place, the country residence of Hollis H. Hunnewell, 

 at West Needham, was visited by the Committee on the od of 

 August. It consists of about six hundred acres, including the beau- 

 tiful lake Waban, On the southerly side of this is located the 

 splendid mansion of Mr. H., with the ornamental grounds. A few 

 years ago, the larger portion of this place Avas covered with the nat- 

 ural growth of forest trees. Now it presents one of the best speci- 

 mens of landscape gardening in New England. Mr. H. retained, 

 in the laying out of this place, as many of the original trees as 

 possible, and through these, the broad and well-turned avenues 

 lead to the house and over the grounds. Interspersed among the 

 native trees and in belts along the broad walks, are planted spe- 

 cimens of all the popular trees and shrubs, both those of our own 

 and other countries, that will endure the climate. From either 

 side of his princely dwelling, — whether from the front, across the 

 extensive green and velvet-like lawn, or from the rear, over the 

 glassy mirror of lake Waban, or the interesting vistas which here 

 and there open to the eye, — the views are charming and in good 

 keeping with a correct taste for landscape gardening. 



Although this place is more noted for its forest trees and shrubs 

 than for fruits, his collection of the latter, both for open culture 

 and under glass, will bear favorable comparison with the best in 

 the vicinity. His grapes, nectarines, peaches, and strawberries, 

 have seldom been surpassed. 



In farming Mr. H. is one of our most enterprising, though not 

 one of our most extensive farmers, if we except hay, of which he 

 cuts one of the largest crops in the County. Every thing which 



